Manager Arsene Wenger had again put his faith in youth, with the average age of his side tonight just 21 and a half.

However, it looked to have been a game too far for the young Gunners as a determined Spurs team - without dropped England keeper Paul Robinson - were good value for their half-time lead through Jermaine Jenas, and looked set to be the first away team to win at the Emirates in 21 matches.

Yet following the introduction of in-form Croatian striker Eduardo and regular full-back Bacary Sagna, Arsenal eventually found another gear and were rewarded when Walcott scrambled in his third goal of the season with 11 minutes left to leave the tie delicately poised for the second leg at White Hart Lane in a fortnight's time.

Jermain Defoe, on for Robbie Keane, could easily have put one in at the other end but he blazed over from Aaron Lennon's low cross at the far post.